Hooked on Winning: Football reels in impressive season-opening win at MSJ

The Muskingum football team reeled in an impressive season-opening win at Mt. St. Joseph on Saturday afternoon, 42-35. The win snapped Mt. St. Joseph's 15-game home-winning streak.

Notables

• Muskingum is now 3-0 all-time against Mt. St. Joseph. This marked the first time the Muskies have played the Lions since 2001. Mt. St. Joseph was the preseason favorite to win the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference and was an NCAA Division III playoff team last year.
• The victory marked the sixth straight full-season year that Muskingum has started 1-0 under Head Coach Erik Ieuter.
• The win snapped Mt. St. Joseph's 15-game home-winning streak.

The Basics

• Records: Muskingum (1-0 overall), Mt. St. Joseph (0-1 overall)
• Location: Schueler Field - Cincinnati, Ohio
• Attendance: 456

Inside the Numbers

• Muskingum churned out 438 yards of offense and 23 first downs.
• Muskingum held a 32:41-27:19 advantage in time of possession.
• Muskingum's defense forced four turnovers (three interceptions and a fumble recovery).
• Muskingum scored four touchdowns on its opening four possessions in the first half on drives of 76 yards, 75 yards, 23 yards, and 56 yards.
• Muskingum's two scoring drives in the second half covered 81 yards and 71 yards.
• Sophomore quarterback Cavan Cooper made his first career start and went 18-of-27 for 281 yards and four touchdowns. He also added 44 yards rushing and a touchcown and one reception for 25 yards.
• Junior running back Chandler Ross rushed 17 times for 68 yards and one score.
• Senior receiver Travanti Keitt hauled in nine receptions for 152 yards and two touchdowns. He also completed two passes for 47 yards.
• Sophomore receiver Davion Grant had five grabs for 75 yards and two scores.
• Senior tight end Gannon Unger logged five receptions for 75 yards and two touchdowns.
• Junior kicker Aaron Meyers was a perfect 6-of-6 on extra points and averaged 55 yards on kickoffs.
• The trio of senior defensive back Qwestin Litz, sophomore defensive back Jacques Marcellus, and junior linebacker Martavious Johnson all registered seven tackles.
• Junior linebacker Conner Gurney, Marcellus, and sophomore linebacker Ekyri Williams all snared an interception. Williams also added a fumble recovery.
• The Lions ended the game with 476 yards of offense and 23 first downs.
• Tyler Prather threw for 397 yards with three interceptions and two touchdowns.
• Eli Austin paced the receivers with nine grabs for 197 yards and one score.
• Evan Schlensker led the Lion defense with 10 stops.

Up Next

• Muskingum hosts Otterbein for its home opener on Saturday, September 14, at noon at the BHWC. The contest will mark the Ohio Athletic Conference opener for both teams. The game will feature live video and stats on the Muskie Sports Network.